Historical Commencement Information

Observing the centuries-old convocation procedures, each Marshal in the Savannah State University Academic Procession carries an official mace, which is indicative of the power, dignity, and magisterium vested in the University. The mace is a club-shaped staff that originated in the Middle Ages as a weapon. Eventually, it gained a ceremonial character and is presently employed most often by legislative forums and academic enterprises.

The official mace and stand of Savannah State University were designed and constructed from mahogany by Dr. Ernest S. Brown, Associate Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering Technology.

Savannah State University Motto

The University’s motto is “Lux et Veritas” (Light and Truth).

Academic Regalia

Modern academic dress has evolved from a type of apparel prescribed by English Medieval Universities to distinguish their schools from the lay person in dress at a time when everybody wore robes or gowns. When American colleges and universities desired to adopt some suitable system of academic apparel a half century ago, it seemed best to agree on some definite system which all might follow. Accordingly, this attire has consisted of the cap, the gown, and the hood, the latter two now differing according to the degree the wearer has received.

The modern cap, in academic dress, has the same design for all degrees: black and square-shaped with a tassel hanging from the center. However, the color of the tassel usually differentiates the field of study for which the degree was granted, the gold tassel being worn by doctors or by presidents of colleges and universities. However, the black tassel is correct for all degrees.

The gown, unlike the cap, in academic dress, differs appreciably in design according to the degree conferred on the wearer. The gown for the bachelor’s degree has pointed sleeves. It is designed to be worn closed. The gown for the master’s degree, worn open or closed, has an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist, like the others. The sleeve base hangs down in the traditional manner. The rear part of its oblong shape is square cut, and the front part has an arc cut away. The doctor’s gown, worn open or closed, has long sleeves faced with velvet; three bars of velvet are midway the sleeves. The trimmings of the doctor’s gown may be black or the color associated with the field of study.

The hood, while not an article of dress, is however, the most distinctive feature of the academic attire. It is a black, cowl-shaped badge or adornment with an oval opening and is worn down the back. It enables one the quickly determine not only the degree held by the wearer but also the college or university from which he or she is graduated. The colors lining the hood and the size and the shape of the hood make the distinction. The bachelor’s and master’s hoods are three feet and three and a half feet in length, respectively; the doctor’s hood is four feet in length and is made with a wide panel. Hoods may be worn for only those degrees actually held by the wearers.

Members of the governing body of a college or university, and they only, whatever their degrees may be, are entitled to wear doctor’s gowns (with black velvet), but their hoods may be only those of degrees actually held by the wearers or those especially prescribed for them by the institution.

In some colleges and universities, it is customary for the president, chancellor, or chief officer to wear a costume similar to that worn by the head of a foreign university.

The chief marshal may wear a specifically designed costume approved by the institution.

For all academic purposes, including trimmings of doctor’s gowns, edging of hoods, and tassels of caps, the color associated with different subjects as prescribed by the revised American Intercollegiate Code is as follows:

At Savannah State University, the lining of the hood has an orange chevron on a blue background to represent school colors. A faculty member wears the color of his or her alma mater.

Savannah State University Hymn

Original words and music by J. Randolph Fisher and Hillary Hatchett

Lyrical Revision by Ms. La Gina M. Frazier

Commencement History since 1895

The 1895 - 2009 Commencement History of Savannah State University as documented from its archives and the book Richard R. Wright, Sr., at GSIC, 1891 - 1921. This history is provided courtesy of Dr. Charles Elmore.

University History

On November 26, 1890, enabling legislation was passed by the Georgia General Assembly to establish a school for the education and training of colored students, which was to operate as a part of the University of Georgia. One hundred and twenty years later, the college has become Savannah State University, the oldest public historically black university in Georgia.

A preliminary session of the new college was held in the Baxter Street School Building in Athens, Georgia, with Richard Robert Wright, Sr., as principal. On October 7, 1891, the new college, named the Georgia State Industrial College for Colored Youths, moved to its present location in Thunderbolt, Georgia. Wright was president, and there were five faculty members: Loring B. Palmer, A.B.; Frank Cobb, A.B.; Alexander Ashton; Reverend Leigh B. Maxwell, A.B.; Reverend James M. Simms, proctor and steward; and Decatur Suggs, vice-president.

The university awarded its first baccalaureate degree to Richard R. Wright, Jr., in 1898. He went on to become the first black man to receive the Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Pennsylvania (1911), and later to become the president of historic Wilberforce University. During Wright’s tenure as president (1890 - 1921), President William McKinley (1898) and President William Howard Taft (1912) visited the campus and spoke to students and faculty in the Peter W. Meldrim Hall.